Idaho Acupuncture Association
Serving Idaho Acupuncturists Since 1986
acupuncture

About Acupuncture

Definitions

Oriental Medicine

Oriental medicine is comprised of many modalities, techniques and styles which include acupuncture, chinese herbs, oriental massage, Gua Sha, cupping, Reflexology, Tuina, Moxibustion, and diet and nutrition. Oriental medicine is a complete system of health care and addresses most types of health conditions.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting very fine needles into acupuncture points on the body, causing healing and balance.

Chinese Herbs

Chinese herbal therapy has literary roots in China over 2000 years and involves a combination of over 400 plants and plant parts including roots, barks, leaves, flowers, berries and sometimes animal parts and insects. These are combined into formulas which can be tailored to each individual. Case or premade patent medicines are sometimes administered.

Oriental Massage

Oriental Massage (Tuina, Shiatsu, Amma) is a composition of therapeutic massage techniques for balancing mind and body. It is often used as an adjunct to acupuncture and herbs.

Other Techniques

Cupping

Symptoms Treated with Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture

General

  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches
  • Allergies
  • Dizziness
  • Eye Problems
  • Stroke
  • Nausea
  • Addiction Control
  • Athletic Performance
  • Blood Pressure Regulation
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Immune System Deficiencies

Pain

  • Acute/Chronic
  • Arthritis
  • Low Back
  • Shoulder
  • Hip, Knee
  • Heel, Hand
  • Headaches
  • Sports Injuries
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Sciatica
  • Back Pain
  • Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Muscle Cramping
  • Postoperative Pain
  • Muscle Pain and Weakness
  • Neck Pain

Digestive

  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Acid Reflux
  • Indigestion

Respiratory System

  • Acute Sinusitis
  • Acute Rhinitis
  • Common Cold
  • Acute Tonsillitis
  • Acute Bronchitis
  • Bronchial Asthma

Gynecological

  • PMS
  • Fertility
  • Menopausal
  • Amenorrhea
  • Dysmenorrhea

Eye, Ears

  • Acute Conjunctivitis
  • Central Retinitis
  • Myopia (in children)
  • Cataract
  • Tinnitus

Gastro-Intestinal

  • Spasms of Esophagus and Cardia
  • Hiccough
  • Gastroptosis
  • Acute And Chronic Gastritis
  • Gastric Hyperacidity
  • Chronic Duodenal Ulcer (pain relief)
  • Acute Duodenal Ulcer
  • Acute And Chronic Colitis
  • Acute Bacillary Dysentery
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Paralytic Ileus
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Indigestion

Mouth

  • Toothache
  • Post-Extraction Pain
  • Gingivitis
  • Acute And Chronic Pharyngitis

Neurological & Musculo-Skeletal

  • Headache and Migraine
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Facial Palsy
  • Pareses following a Stroke
  • Peripheral Neuropathies
  • Sequelae of Poliomyelitis
  • Meniere's Disease
  • Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction
  • Nocturnal Enuresis
  • Intercostal Neuralgia
  • Cervicobrachial Syndrome
  • Parkinson's
  • Stroke

Emotional

  • Stress/Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Addictions
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Nervousness
  • Neurosis
  • Stress Reduction

Cosmetic

  • Face Lifts
  • Wrinkles
  • Scars

What the World Health Organization is saying about acupuncture

Source: "Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials" by the World Health Organization Download this study in PDF format

"Acupuncture analgesia ... in the treatment of chronic pain is comparable with that of morphine..... acupuncture analgesia can be regarded as the method of choice for treating many chronically painful conditions..."

"Strokes and their sequelae are another major indication for acupuncture. Early treatment of paresis after stroke has proven highly effective... In randomized controlled studies, acupuncture treatment of hemiplegia due to cerebral infarction gave better results than conventional medication and physiotherapy....Good effects with Bell's Palsy have been reported..."

"Acupuncture is more effective than antihistamine drugs in the treatment of allergic rhinitis."

"Primary dysmenorrhea ... is one of the major indications for acupuncture in the field of gynecology"

"Acupuncture seems to be helpful to patients with [pre-menstrual disorders]. In a controlled study, the majority of the patients gained relief from symptoms and no recurrence in the six month follow-up"

"Insomnia can also be treated successfully with acupuncture"

"The effect of acupuncture on depression has been documented repeatedly in controlled studies"

What the NIH is saying about acupuncture

Source: nccam.nih.gov/research/results/acu-osteo.htm

"A landmark study has shown that acupuncture provides pain relief and improves function for people with osteoarthritis of the knee and serves as an effective complement to standard care."

Click here for frequently asked questions about acupuncture